Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard Feud?

By Kaylyn Neely

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

In a Loin pride, there is a natural hierarchy. There is one dominant male who acquires his place by conquest. When another Loin shows interest in his position and he is powerful enough to challenge him, they will come to blows as they both attempt to secure their place as the alpha male.

Everybody kind of suspected that Dwight Howard and Kobe Bryant might have issues throughout their time together as Los Angeles Lakers. Howard will, without question, eventually take Bryant’s place as the Lakers captain if he resigns with the franchise.

Jodie Meeks told Philly.com that a lot of people have said negative things about playing with Kobe. However, there has never been another player on the Lakers who could challenge Bryant, until Howard came along. Everyone else just had to deal with it.

Howard doesn’t.

Howard went from an organization that went above and beyond, or at least to significant lengthens, to appease him, such as terminating coaches. He’s not used to complying or sacrificing for other players.

A month or so ago, when the Lakers played against the New Orleans Hornets, Howard confronted Bryant for his poor defense.

On the offensive side of the game, Howard likes to have the ball. Bryant likes to have the ball too. Both prefer to be highly central to offence.

True, Kobe is basically the only one scoring right now but he’s also the only one who gets the ball. It seems odd that Bryant’s having one of his highest scoring seasons when he has Steve Nash, Pau Gasol and Howard as teammates.

Howard explained the differences between the Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippersto Deadspin, citing that the Clippers function as a team, while the Lakers fail to work as a unit, “look at the difference between our team and theirs,” Howard said. “They just play together. They share the ball. Everybody’s excited when something happens. We have to be like that to be a great team.”

Kobe’s passing and ball hogging jokes are as famous as LeBron James hairline and ring jokes. Kobe will pull out every trick in his book as long as it doesn’t involve passing.

Howard knew it was a shot that everyone and their mother would pick up on.

And this isn’t the only hint that Howard isn’t thrilled with Kobe’s antics.

“If you’re an alpha male, you don’t have to always show that you’re the alpha male. Just be who you are.” “It’s not about making your mark or going around pissing everywhere. You don’t have to do that.” Howard continued, “My presence is felt every day and I don’t have to come here and growl and snarl at people.”

While the relationship and the dynamics between Howard and Bryant are still premature, it’s hard to not speculate at the meaning behind Howard’s comments. It’s on record that Kobe is a difficult teammate.

Regardless, wouldn’t it be crazy if Howard went from Orlando to the Lakers to fighting with Kobe?